Mayors question RDA funding decisions

Mon 24 Jun 2013, 1:45 PM AEST

Community leaders in the Upper Spencer Gulf have questioned the Regional Development Australia (RDA) Fund, saying it is favouring projects in metropolitan areas, rather than improving infrastructure in the country.

Several projects in the region will get funding, including more than $2 million for walking trails on the Eyre and Yorke peninsulas but millions more will go to city projects such as a sport and arts precinct at Canterbury in Sydney.

Whyalla Mayor Jim Pollock says he cannot understand the reasoning.

"That's something I really struggle with actually, particularly Canterbury, where they received $4 million," he said.

Port Pirie Mayor Brenton Vanstone is also disappointed.

"We also see $12 million in the electorate of Penrith in Sydney, so I think they're just getting a bit mixed up," he said.

"I thought 'R' was for regional and 'M' was for metropolitan."

Ceduna Mayor Allan Suter is also upset that RDA funding for a new fishing harbour in the region has been overlooked in favour of city-based projects.

More announcements in the round are expected but applicants in the Upper Spencer Gulf have been told they have been unsuccessful.

Regional Development Australia says projects that had benefits to outlying areas were considered.